Lay Residential Community at the Discipleship Center

"Servants of the Cross" is the name of the residential lay community at the Discipleship Center.
The community presently has 5 adults and 3 children ranging in age from 4 to 72.

Before he died, Father Al
Lauer had shared his vision for the residential community. "The sturdy
foundation of community life and prayer will hopefully draw retreatants, who
will then be exposed to both community life and to the powerful and enriching
teachings of the retreats. People will discover the quiet simplicity of a life
ordered by God. A holy ambiance will develop of simple surroundings, regular
prayer life, simple meals and lots of opportunity for silence and listening to
God."

This is what Evelyn Olsen has to say about her experience so far. "I am
having so much fun here...it's really great...living community, praying and
being in the presence of God 24 hours a day."

"I was sent here from Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Father James Bozung, who
when setting up home based communities in his parish, worked closely with Father
Al Lauer. One day, soon after arriving, I was sitting in the chapel of
Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Lord clearly spoke to me and said 'welcome home.'
Following the community schedule, my day begins and ends in the chapel, reciting
with the other residents parts of the Liturgy of the Hours at 6:00AM and again
at 8:30PM. Much of the day is devoted to prayer, including daily Mass. Teaching,
work, and recreation also fill the days with the 'joy of the Lord' as we do the
work of serving His people. I
have grown in a deeper love for Our Lord and Our Lady in a way I could never
experience by living alone. I have found a joy here on 'the Mountain' as a
little taste of heaven on earth."

Bob Olson says, "We are building this community as a 'School of Love' (Pope John Paul II,
Fraternal Life in Community, 25) where we learn to love as God loves:
personally, perfectly, eternally and unconditionally. We will live for Jesus
24 hours a day." St. John of the Cross, OCD, our patron saint said "we will be
judged by our love." So we have to learn to love. And when we do, people will
flock here. Love is the answer. Father Al taught this vision for years and we
look forward to living out these teachings in reality as "Servants of the Cross"
Community. We want to welcome our guests as "Christ Himself," as St. Benedict
taught.